Improvement in devices for killing mosquitoes



E. B. JOHNSTON.

DEVICE FOR KILLING MOSQUITOES. No.187,016 Patented. Feb.6, 1877.

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UNITED PATENT Qr'r'roa IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR KILLING MOSQUITOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,0! 6, dated February 6, 1877; application filed January 3, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

STON, of Germantown, Kentucky, temporarily of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Device to Aid in the Killing of Mosquitoes by the Vapor of Petroleum, or any other suitable volatile oil, of which the following specification and accompanying drawing will be a sufficient description:

The drawing shows a sectional side elevation and a plan view of the invention.

Theinvention is a cup economically arranged for holding a sponge and its compressingplates, the upper plate being a removable tray, into which the insects fall dead, and the lower plate serving as a filter over the sponge. The cup A has a cover, B, and a handle, G, for placing it upon a stick, so as to put the cup against the ceiling overhead. The sponge D is intended to be saturated with coal-oil. Over a shoulder, a, in the cup, and held in place by the stays b, lies the filter E, and over the filter lies a perforated removable tray, F, which has three or more projections, by means of which the sponge is easily compressed by placing the projections in contact with the ceiling. The filter E serves to keep the sponge in the cup, and also to save the hands from being soiled by contact with the sponge when the tray is removed. When the sponge is distended these projections Q will be raised above the rim of the cup, so that if the cup is held against the ceiling the sponge may be compressed by working the stick slightly in the hand. This will cause i the oil to exude vapor, which is instant death Be it known that I, ELIZABETH B. JoHN- to mosquitoes. 1

It is well known that these insects usually alight upon the ceiling of a room. So, to rid the room of themthe cup is placed upon a stick and held under the insect, then quickly pressed against theceiling. the vapor of the coil-oil instantly killing the mosquito.

Only a small quantity of oil is necessary, which will be absorbed in sponge, and cannot be spilled upon the furniture, carpet, or person. No insects can fall into the oil; so no waste need occur. The cup, when not in use, is covered to keep out dust and prevent any unpleasant odor. Compression of the sponge by the projections on the tray is the principal feature of this invention, though other merits are claimed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device for killing insects by the vapors of petroleum, consisting of a cup, a

sponge saturated with the.oil,- and one or more trays for compressing the sponge when pressed against the ceiling, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the handle, cup, sponge, and filter with the tray for compressing the sponge, substantially as described.

Signed by me in the presence of two attesti-ug witnesses, in the city of Washington, this 2d day of January, 1877.

ELIZABETH Witnesses:

M. S. JOHNSTON, V F. P. MODERMOTT.

B. Jonns'ron. 

